Barnaby Joyce

The Nationals Member For New England

Budget delivers on commitments for people with disability and carers: Joyce

15 May 2014

THE coalition government will meet its election commitments to support Australians with disability and carers, the Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said.

“The government will honour its commitments to deliver the national disability insurance scheme, set up the young carer bursary programme and establish the disability and carers industry advisory council,” Mr Joyce said.

“The coalition government is 100 per cent committed to delivering the national disability insurance scheme in full.

“The coalition has always supported the NDIS. The government is determined to ensure the foundations for the scheme are sound and that the scheme is sustainable into the future,” he said.

The budget also delivers $3 million to fund the Abbott government’s young carer bursary programme, which will provide support for young carers,” Mr Joyce said.

Mr Joyce said the young carer bursary programme will start in January 2015 and will help reduce the financial burden on 150 young carers annually.

“Too often, the caring responsibilities of a young carer can have a significant impact on their education,” [name] said.

“This programme will go a long way to helping young carers complete their study while maintaining their caring responsibilities,” he said.

Mr Joyce said the government has also honoured its commitment to establish a new disability and carers’ industry advisory council to provide advice on how to improve the lives of people with disability and carers.

“The council will bring together industry, the service sector, peak bodies, people with disability and carers to work closely with the government on policies affecting people with disability and carers,” Mr Joyce said.

Mr Joyce said these measures will help the Abbott government deliver a better deal for people with disability and carers.